Racist vandals attack Jewish landmarks

RACISTS went on the rampage spraying swastikas and anti-Semitic graffiti on Jewish landmarks in south Dublin on Tuesday night.

Gardaí confirmed that swastikas had been daubed on the Jewish Museum in Portobello, while a synagogue and Jewish cemetery were also targeted in the overnight attacks.

Raphael Siev, museum curator, said the Jewish community was not expecting to be the victim of racist intimidation. “This is quite a sustained assault and the idiots who are doing it certainly have given no indication what is their gripe, their complaint or concerns. They are just acting in an idiotic way.”

It is understood the racist attacks have been going on since November of last year. And he said he suspected one gang was responsible for the ongoing harassment. Graffiti, including swastikas, was sprayed on the museum in black paint. Vandals also targeted the former residence of the first chief rabbi, graves at the Jewish cemetery in Dolphin’s Barn, an old people’s home and the synagogue in Terenure.

It is understood the attackers broke two windows just before midnight then fled the scene before returning hours later to spray racist signs.

John Gormley, Green Party chairman, called on the gardaí to take immediate action to stop the attacks. “The individual or individuals in question seem to be able to act with virtual impunity and I am now calling on the Minister for Justice, Michael McDowell, to ensure that the gardaí pursue this case until these racists are brought to account.”